June 15, 2010

Communities In Schools, the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, is pleased to announce that 13 new students have been selected as recipients of the 2010 Walmart Foundation Communities in Schools Scholarship Program. The scholars, graduating seniors from Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, were awarded prizes ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 dollars to apply to pursuing a higher education.  Recipients were chosen based on their financial need, academic performance, and demonstrated leadership abilities.

The scholarships were set up to promote non-traditional academic excellence and provide an opportunity for promising students who have experienced significant educational challenges and financial need to reach their highest potential. Students from across the Performance Learning Centers (PLC) Network were eligible for the scholarships. The money was made available through a two year grant from the Walmart Foundation, totaling $120,000 dollars.

“Through this grant we are pleased to have the funds available to help these students pursue a higher education that otherwise may not have been available to them,” said Joseph Santucci of the Communities In Schools Leadership Council.  The scholarships help support the cost of higher education, reducing the financial barriers that students who maintain satisfactory academic progress often encounter. In addition, through the scholarship program a diverse group of future leaders will be identified who exemplify the core values of the Communities In Schools Mission.

The 2010 Walmart Foundation Communities In Schools Scholars are:

• Emma Ayala (Marietta PLC)
• Erin Bowers (Candler County PLC)
• Haley Carroll ( Berrien County PLC)
• Lynsey Farnsworth (Charlotte PLC)
• Taylor Goudy (Charlotte PLC)
• Erika Randolph (Hampton PLC)
• Rubi Romero (Marietta PLC)
• Cameron Stella (Mary Mosley PLC)
• Tania Tenery (Kent PLC)
• Devontay Vickers (Laurens County PLC)
• Shane Waddy (Marietta PLC)
• Ariana Walker (Marietta PLC)
• William Washington (ACDC PLC)

Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources, tailored to local needs. Working in more than 3,200 schools, in the most challenged communities, in 26 states, and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools serves nearly 1.4 million young people and their families every year. It has become the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to increase graduation rates.

Visit our website at www.communitiesinschools.org.